If you missed out on a full-time undergraduate degree course place this year don't despair — you still have choices.
Part-time study places are still available on some courses and this option could actually save you and your parents money!
For example, if you're living at home, you'll be assessed on your income alone. So as long as you are not earning more than £16,845 you'll get:
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Nearly all your tuition fees paid
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£265 towards your books
Yes, you'll be studying longer - an undergraduate degree normally taking three years full-time will take four-and-a-half if you study part-time. So think about your options:
Give up on your dream? Take a gap year, cross your fingers and try your luck next year? Or make a start now?
If you start now you'll only finish six months later than if you waited a year, took a risk on being able to secure a full-time place next year and were successful. Why take that risk when you can start NOW?
No, you won't be eligible for a student loan, but you will be able to work part-time, gaining valuable work experience while you study.
And imagine starting your career student loan-debt free... Nice thought, isn't it!
The Fee Grant and Course Grant are provided by Student Finance England. For application information visit our financial assistance for part-time undergraduates|| webpages.
We've put together case studies to help you work out if part-time is right for you, but for more information contact enquiries@bolton.ac.uk|.
Case Studies
Dan
Dan lives at home with his mum and dad and wants to do an undergraduate degree in Sports and Exercise Science, but the full-time course is full. Part-time places are available though. He has a Saturday job at his local supermarket and his earnings from that are less than £1,000 a year. His mum works part-time and his dad full-time. Together they have an income of £42,000.
How much Dan's parents earn doesn't affect Dan's eligibility for a grant, Dan will be assessed on his earnings alone. Dan could study part-time and have nearly all his tution fees paid through a full-fee grant. He will get a £265 course grant each year to help him pay for study materials like books. His earnings aren't high enough to affect his eligibility for maximum support. He'll have no more than 16 hours study time each week, so he can think about looking for more hours at his current part-time job or looking for more work if he wants to improve his income.
Rina
Rina is married to Ronnie and wants to get back to work after her children start school. She is currently a full-time mum and wants to top up her skills with a part-time degree in Accountancy. Ronnie earns £28,500 in his job with the local authority.
Because Rina and Ronnie have two children and are married the grant system recalculates the family income to £23,500. That's because it allows £2,000 for Rina, £2,000 for their first child and £1,000 for their second. Looking at their income of £23,500, Rina and Ronnie get a percentage of the tuition fees paid - up to 75%, but this depends on how many hours each week Rina will be studying. She will also get £265 a year towards study aids, like books.
Nicole
Nicole has a full-time job and wants to get a better one. She knows her career prospects will improve with a degree. She lives at home with her mum and currently earns £18,000 working in a gym.
Studying part-time and working full-time is a big commitment but if Nicole is determined she can do it - a lot of students do. Nicole doesn't need to concern herself with her mum's income, it's her earnings that will be assessed. Because Nicole earns over £16,845 she will have to pay a percentage towards her fees, but she could get a grant up to 75% of her course fees and she'll get £265 a year towards her other study costs.
The above case studies are intended as a guide; everyone's situation is unique so if you want more information about studying part-time contact enquiries@bolton.ac.uk|.